Eastern Slavs have celebrated Kupala Night for centuries. The holiday is dedicated to the summer solstice when the day starts to decrease, and the night increases.
The Day of St. Agrafena and the eve of Ivan Kupala (the day of St. John the Baptist) are celebrated on 6 July. It is believed that herbs are filled with magic power and fern blossoms on this night.
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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A participant in Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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Men wearing traditional Slavic costumes light a bonfire as they take part in Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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A participant in Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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People take part in Slavic rituals during Ivan Kupala celebrations, in Kaluga region, Russia. Ivan Kupala is celebrated during the summer solstice, on the shortest night of the year. People jump over bonfires, sing and dance, play games and perform traditional rituals.
© Sputnik / Valeriy Melnikov
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